Comments on: Point/Counterpoint: The Nats’ first Hall of Famerhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/
News, analysis and commentary from someone who has covered the Washington Nationals since Day 1Tue, 31 Mar 2015 20:42:01 +0000hourly1http://wordpress.com/By: Section 222http://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280320
Sat, 11 Jan 2014 01:27:29 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280320Please re-read my comment at 11:33 am. I didn’t predict Harper or Stras in the HOF. I said that Harper has a decent chance given what he’s done so far and his age. And I concluded: “Harper has the best chance of being the first player inducted in the Hall as a Nat. Strasburg next. But both have a long way to go. Obviously.” You, on the other hand, dismiss Harper’s done entirely and think that Giolito is more likely than either Harper or Stras to end up in the Hall. Talk about betting on hype!

I totally agree that Stras won’t be a Hall of Famer if he can pitch only 6 innings per game, even taking account of the era he plays in. But in 2012 he went 7 or more only 5 times out of 28 starts. In 2013, he did it 12 times out of 30 starts and had has first complete game. He’s only going into his age 25 season, so there’s alot of room for growth. Like I said, I think Harper is more likely to make it, but I’m not counting out Stras yet. He’s got too much raw talent.

This ends my public service announcements, as I’m going to the gym and I’m not at working out and typing at the same time.

]]>By: NatsLadyhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280316
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 23:46:29 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280316Siri is not a baseball fan. My student is going to Florida for spring break, and she wanted to know where Viera is. Siri kept showing us some place in Pennsylvania (because that’s nearer). Then I asked her where is Nats spring training and she said “I can’t find anything about Nats spring training.”

Then I asked her, “Will the Saints would win tomorrow?” She immediately put up the Seahawks/Saints betting line, plus the time of the game and the broadcast network, all with nice logos and stuff.

]]>By: Theophilus T.S.http://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280315
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 23:31:13 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280315If you are predicting Strasburg or Harper in the HOF you are betting on hype not on what they’ve accomplished to date. Conigliaro isn’t in the HOF, although I think he might — emphasize “might” — except for injury. He certainly had the tools, just as Harper is alleged to have the tools. Both Strasburg and Harper have yet to approach the “hype” associated with their signings. Strasburg isn’t ever going to make it if he keeps leaving the last three innings to the bullpen.
]]>By: Sonny G 10http://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280314
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 22:45:38 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280314You’re faster than me NatsLady. I didn’t see it until you pointed it out. And I second the “Thank you, Mark”
]]>By: Sonny G 10http://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280313
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 22:34:45 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280313+1 for jd and +1 for Coach308
]]>By: NatsLadyhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280312
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 22:28:56 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280312Sorry if I’m slow here, but I just noticed Mark put up a countdown to Pitchers and Catchers. Thank you!!!!
]]>By: Faraz Shaikhhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280308
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:54:52 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280308he is only 25 after all.
]]>By: Faraz Shaikhhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280307
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:53:12 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280307Impressive as always. Thanks!
]]>By: NatsLadyhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280306
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:48:34 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280306You never know, maybe it will be Ramos for the HoF.
]]>By: NatsLadyhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280305
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:47:42 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280305Check this out! Ramos getting ahold of one.

The Nationals on Friday signed outfielder Joseph Dunigan to a Minor League deal. The left-handed-hitting Dunigan was selected by the Mariners in the fifth round of the 2007 First-Year Player Draft, and spent the last seven seasons in their organization. He never appeared in the big leagues for Seattle.

]]>By: letswin3http://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280301
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 19:20:57 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280301Yeah, but it would sure be nice to have a level playing field.
]]>By: NatsLadyhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280300
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:51:25 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280300As regards position players. Desi has a remote chance, if he stays healthy, durable, and productive. Same for Ryan Zimmerman. Desi and RZ would have to have several MVP-type years, meaning they bring the Nats to the playoffs/WS. Look around the league and see if you think Desi and RZimm as they currently play would win the NL MVP.

For Harper, this is a key year. As far as I’m concerned, the only “immaturity” he’s shown is on the field. Off it, he’s exemplary, doesn’t cause scandals, gives great interviews, gives autographs to dying kids, etc., so there is no reason for writers–if they are still the voters in 2040–to carry grudges. So now you look at him on the field. Last spring it was not unreasonable to think he’d be the NL MVP, and many analysts made that prediction. This year or next, Bryce needs to be NL MVP or at least have a lot of votes. His model is right in front of him, and as Bryce put it “J-Dub told me 20 times not to run into walls.”

(BTW, it’s really too bad Jayson didn’t have his first good season until he was 28, talk about late bloomers.).

I see Rendon getting into the Hall of Very Good along with Desi and RZ.

]]>By: Section 222http://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280299
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:44:27 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280299Natsjack had his tongue in his cheek, I think, when he said Lucas Giolito. I chuckled too. But Theo, you sound dead serious. You really think Giolito, who has yet to throw a pitch above A-, has a better shot of making the HoF than Harper? I know those 14 Ks in 14 IP in Auburn last year were impressive, but for goodness sakes. Harper has more home runs (42) before turning 21 than all but two players in history (Ott and Conigliaro). He has more than A-Rod, Griffey, Jr., Frank Robinson, and Mickey Mantle. I was disappointed in him last season too, but to say that all he’s shown so far is “superior immaturity” kind of undermines your credibility on your remaining point.
]]>By: NatsLadyhttp://natsinsider.com/2014/01/10/pointcounterpoint-the-nats-first-hall-of-famer/comment-page-1/#comment-280298
Fri, 10 Jan 2014 18:34:27 +0000http://natsinsider.com/?p=27351#comment-280298It’s so hard to know with pitchers. Last year Verlander was a lock–then he has a (sort of) “down” year, and now he’s hurt for the first time in his major-league career. It will be interesting to see how he recovers.Kershaw seems like a no-brainer, but he’s got to do what he’s doing now for at least another 5-7 years.

I bring up Verlander and Kershaw because those are the type guys you have to compare with Stras. The question with Stras is, he has the stuff, but can he get out of his own way? (I like Giolito, but he hasn’t faced one major-league batter yet and we simply don’t know what his baseball IQ is.)

However, if you think a guy like Wainwright is on his way (and I do), then you have to think Jordan Zimmermann could be on his–though perhaps not as a Nat and he needs postseason triumphs.